Bruised Desire

Summary: Severus experiences Erectile Dysfunction. Hermione is a Sex Therapist. Will she be able to cure him?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Bruised Desire

Severus traced his finger around the gilt-edged pattern of the ornate plate. Remembering Dobby's remark about his 'eating' from Hermione, he smiled at the elf's misconception of their intimate kiss. Impulsively, he opened his robe and removed the vial within, and with a wicked smile he imagined a delightful end to his evening with Hermione. With a furtive glance across the restaurant, he hurriedly replaced the vial and dropped his face to a frown before the maitre d', or worse, the other patrons noticed his smile. He simmered instead in a satisfactory sensation of expectation and excitement with, he thought, no outward emotion showing.

"Is that Severus Snape smiling?" Hermione teased as she sauntered toward her date.

"Woman, for your information, I am simmering. A Snape does not smile," he said, returning her banter. Standing up, he held out a chair for her. As she sat down in the proffered seat, she glanced up at Severus as he pushed her seat in and then took his own... his trademark scowl firmly checked in place. "Hermione, I would have you know that you are five minutes late for our scheduled date. If you were still my student, I would deduct two house points per each minute tardy."

"Ah, Severus, if I was still your student we wouldn't be here in this lovely restaurant... well, at least not together." Hermione glanced around to ensure that no one was close enough to listen before leaning over the dinner table toward Severus, and in response, he did the same. In a low whisper, she added, "Though, if I was still your student and you were as delicious as you are now, I would do anything to serve detention with you."

"I was always delicious. You were just too young to realize the extent of my considerable palatability."

Hermione responded to his uncharacteristic teasing with a huge grin. "I'm afraid that you're right, Severus. Had I been as discerning as I am now, I may have had a rough seventh year traversing the Universe in search of a Death Eater who also was a fugitive from the Order and the Ministry, and for whom I harbored unrequited and improper lustful affections.

"Not exactly the way the Head Girl is expected to conduct herself."

Severus furrowed his brow in concentrated irritation as Hermione's lighthearted statements served only to remind him of the events of that tumultuous year that eventually saw the liberation of the Wizarding world from the madman he was forced to serve. He made a conscious effort to refocus his attentions and to engage in some personal liberation. It was high time he thought of himself and served himself. For too long he was tied to two masters, serving to do their will, and at that moment all he wanted to focus his attentions on was the beauty in front of him and to engage in some pleasurable activities with nothing else in mind. He turned his attentions toward his date, and with manufactured annoyance, his furrow deepened as he considered his response to her witty repartee. Alas, too much pondering only fueled her insatiable need for chattering and he missed his opportunity to respond to her earlier comment on 'lustful affections.'

"Severus, as your friend, I take it as my duty to inform you that the simmer you are so apt to protect resembles that of a festering troll."

"Hermione, for such a gifted witch you remain ever elusive of true brilliance. As an accomplished professor, I am certain that your education is pristine in the area of Potions. But alas, in the area of Care of Magical Creatures, it is certainly lacking; due, in no small part, to the ineptitude of your brainless professor in that area of study." As he paused momentarily to take a breath between statements, Hermione took the millisecond opportunity he unwittingly afforded her to break into the conversation. She was definitely proving herself to be quite the clever conversationalist, albeit insufferable to no end.

"No need to continue rambling, professor. I can assure you that my education in all areas of study is well cemented into my psyche, and if you are attempting to ascertain to which type of troll I was referring, I can assure you that a mountain troll is by far the best portrayal of your unique brand of qualities."

"Now, I know that you're missing vast amounts of knowledge in your education, Dr Granger. A mountain troll is the most unintelligent of all three varieties."

"Yes they are, aren't they?"

As comprehension dawned on the usually perceptive professor, Severus' scowl deepened, and Hermione suddenly felt an urge to grab his face and lovingly lick his furrow away.

~*~

"Ah, Severus, this is such a delightful restaurant. I love the enchanted ceiling. It reminds me of the Great Hall."

Severus was studying Hermione as her face turned upward, toward the ceiling, in awe of its magical beauty. Of all the female patrons in the restaurant, Severus did not see anyone who rivaled her beauty. In truth, he had not scanned every female present, but there was no need when he had beautiful Hermione, with all of her brilliance and all of her flaws, seated in front of him... and most importantly, with him. For such a confident man, he was certainly becoming a delightful pile of mush where she was concerned. "Hermione, I know we discussed this earlier today, but would you mind if I opened up this discussion once again?"

"The Pensieve?"

"Yes. To be precise, the memories you saw in the Pensieve of my violation of you."

"You did not violate me, Severus. How many times do I have to repeat myself?" Hermione asked rhetorically. "But to be fair, let's refer to those events as the incident, in order to be as impartial as we can, regardless of our feelings or our opinions."

"I've referred to it as such in my own mind," Severus agreed, astonished once again as Hermione had proven herself to be analogous to him in many respects.

"But, to answer your question, no," she replied, "I do not mind discussing the incident again. Do you have something specific you would like to know?"

"Yes, I'd like to know why you seem so apt to spare my feelings, when it was you who was the victim."

Hermione closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Earlier today, following their return to the school after spending a night maintaining Remus as a sleepy and docile werewolf, Severus immediately placed his memories into a Pensieve and allowed her access. He had encouraged her to share her feelings in whatever manner she chose without asking for further elaboration. In truth, she seemed shaken at the images she witnessed. She saw herself react strongly to his attempted violation, and how her attempts at escape were met with force and quick magic to bind her to his will. She'd revealed that in her sexual fantasies she would occasionally imagine being forcefully taken and desired. And here she was, living through that fantasy, but nothing in the scene she witnessed was erotic or even had the ability to fuel any future sexual fantasies. Having the external memories without the internal experiences made her emotionally bereft – detached she'd said – as if she'd watched it happen to somebody else. This left her troubled, but not overly traumatized; as if she had not experienced the moment. Clinically, she experienced secondary trauma instead of primary, even though the traumatic event actually happened to her. He'd found it confusing. They'd both found it confusing.

"Severus, I... I'm not typically at a loss for words, but I find myself in a difficult position, unable to answer you properly. I want to feel the hurt and the pain that I witnessed, but I cannot. I assume that is a function of seeing this second hand as opposed to recalling the events from my own memory. I cannot honestly respond to you how I would've reacted to you post-event without the obliteration of those memories. I saw myself and I saw how hurt I was, but I cannot say if I would've forgiven you. Knowing what I know now, I would hope that I could have, but it's difficult to say. As for how I am reacting to you now, I also believe that it is a function of how events have transpired. It is easier for me to forgive what I can only recall as an external memory; if that makes any sense?"

"It does," Severus simply replied as he took her delicate hands in his. Gently running his thumbs over a few mosquito bites on the back of her hands, he continued, "I thank you for your complete honesty. I truly am sorry for the violence, the attempted violation, and the Obliviate. I don't know how I can make it up to you." He paused and removed his gaze from her hands to search her eyes. "I promise that I will work every day of my life to do so."

"Well, why don't we start with dinner first?" she asked cheekily, seemingly eager for the topic to die a final death.

"As you wish, milady." Severus snapped his fingers, and a serving-elf instantly appeared with two menus. Taking the proffered menus, and without opening them, Severus ordered two glasses of merlot. The elf disappeared – then reappeared – with the wine in an instant.

"Have you ever had merlot, Hermione?"

"No, I haven't. I'm not a wine connoisseur, but when I drink wine I usually order Chianti, mostly out of a lack of knowledge of what else to try."

"Sangiovese, the predominant grape in Chianti, is rather fruity and easy on the palate and as a result is quite gluggable. But the more distinct merlot appeals to those with a particular palate. Though if you like fruity, it tastes of berries, plums and currants. It's early ripening and therefore fleshy and considerably softer than other varieties. I hope you like it as much as I do."

As Hermione took her first sip, Severus found himself mesmerized by her luscious lips. His concentration wavered as her eyes lit up after tasting the drink. "It's wonderful! You're right; it's so smooth." She took another sip. "I've found a new favorite thanks to you! Umm, this is delightful. Severus, have you ever been here before? I've been gone so many years that I don't know any of the establishments anymore."

"Actually, this restaurant is fairly new. It opened about two months ago, although this is my first time visiting it."

"Interesting name, the Palate of Heroes, I wonder why they call it that?"

"I'm not certain, but what I am certain about is that I am hungry," Severus replied, handing her a menu. "Do you care to order now?"

As they opened their respective menus, each were immediately educated into the rationale behind the name 'Palate of Heroes' as the menus magically, and quite audibly, recited the specials of the day. There seemed to be a double echo as Hermione and Severus opened their menus within seconds of the other, activating the charm designed to read the menu to the patron. The recitation of the menu was decidedly female and began with the appetizers, salads, and entrées. It was the entrées that provided fodder for the appellation.

Today's Entrée Specials include: Chicken á la Merlin, Dumbledore's Phoenix Stew, The Granger Ranger (offering free-range chicken), Snape's Fiery Atlantic Shrake (offering despining upon request), and the Potter Pot Roast with fingerling potatoes, baby carrots, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes.

Hermione and Snape shared a relieved glance as the menu completed its recitation, but winced when it continued. For the children we have a selection of entrées. Please see the Measly Weasley Children's Menu on the back flap. And for those Muggle-fare loving patrons, we have haddock and chips, hot dogs, hamburgers with cheese or without, with chips or without, one burger or two...

In unison they slammed the menus closed. They looked at each other with fixed stares, unable to believe the impudence of the restaurateurs. "Now we know why they name this place the Palate of Heroes," Severus said incredulously.

"I agree with the Granger Ranger matching my palate, but somehow I don't believe that Dumbledore would've ever have eaten Phoenix Stew. What about you, Severus? Have you ever eaten a Snape's Fiery Atlantic Shrake?"

"Interesting, because I love Shrake and considering the number of spines on the damnable fish, I'd love to have someone despine them for me. What about Potter's item?"

"I happen to know that Harry loves pot roast. Severus, whoever designed these menus went to some trouble to find our culinary preferences... I think that when we return to the castle we should find Albus' painting and ask him what his favorite meal was. Somehow, I think he may have kept that little secret from Fawkes."

"So, shall I guess that your entrée of choice will be the Granger Ranger?" Severus smirked as his lip curled into a knowing smile.

"Yes, you can, and shall I guess that your entrée of choice will be the Snape's Fiery Atlantic Shrake, with complimentary despining?"

"Yes, you may, though I'd prefer it to be extra fiery."

As Severus snapped his fingers, the serving-elf reappeared. Just as he was about to give their order, his attention was diverted to two individuals who were recently seated at the adjacent table. They were laughing and hanging all over each other, making a right spectacle of themselves. Unfortunately one was a war hero; the other a tart hanging onto him as if she'd won her prize. Recognizing Harry and Frances, Severus and Hermione immediately opened up and hid behind their respective menus. Renewed recitals of the day's specials burst forth with increased volume and alarming alacrity in an unending loop impenetrable to the formidable magic of two war heroes casting Finite Incantatem.

"Why are you hiding?" Hermione asked Severus over the increasing shrill of the eccentric menu.

"I know that woman, not to mention that I've no need to be bothered with Potter on my first date with you. What about you?"

"I know her too. I chased her away one evening when I went to visit Harry. I'm sure there is no love lost between us two. Just how do you know her, Severus?"

"I'd rather not say."

"I'd rather you did say, Severus. I'm not typically a jealous female, but right now, I want to know what you know of this woman and why you feel you need to hide yourself from her!" Hermione yelled to be heard above the screech of the menu just as the menu stopped its recitation either by design or by the delayed culmination effects of three rounds of Silencing Charms and a well-timed Incendio.

"Hermione, Severus? Wow, how good to see you both here, and together no less! Hey, have you seen the Potter Pot Roast? This place is so cool!" Harry jabbered excitedly as he treated them to a quick-acknowledged wink, "Hermione, you remember Frances, don't you?" Both women eyed each other with a curt and tight-lipped smile.

"Severus?" Hermione asked sweetly.

As he lowered his menu he eyed the pair at the table next to him, "Potter."

"Professor Snape, this is my friend, Frances, and Frances, please meet Professor Snape, my former Potions Professor from Hogwarts."

"Madam," Severus responded in greeting. He noted Frances' eyes were downcast, refusing to meet his gaze. He was pleased with her response, or lack thereof, considering the last time he saw her she was half dressed and retreating from his bedroom faster than a chocolate frog on Easter Sunday.

He returned his attention to his charred menu, just as Hermione spoke to Frances. "Severus tells me that you and he know each other."

"I don't believe so," Frances immediately responded.

"Well, I've never known Severus to be wrong. Certainly you must know him. He's a war hero, you know? Just like Harry...." Hermione's lips pursed as she seemed to scrutinize the possibilities before her. "Harry, didn't Ron say he had a new girlfriend and her name was Frances?"

"Um, yeah, I think so."

"Well, Frances," Hermione said without one trace of timidity. "Don't you think it interesting that Severus knows you, as well as Harry and Ron? It seems to me that you've been making the rounds." She tapped her finger thoughtfully against her chin. "Should I warn Alastor Moody, do you think? Or perhaps I'm already too late. It's so very fitting that we should meet again in the Palate of Heroes, don't you think?" She pointed innocently to what remained of the cover of her menu. "Now, should I be concerned or relieved that you haven't made it to my bed?"

"Hermione!" both men screamed in an unconventional display of unity. For a moment, Hermione considered that perhaps there was an unwritten code of solidarity for wizards, regardless of friend, foe, or indifference.

Offended, Frances gathered her belongings to depart the restaurant. With a final farewell Hermione yelled to her retreating form, "Please give our best wishes to your husband!"

"Hermione, come on! That's the second time you chased her away. How's a man supposed to get a good shag around here?" Harry whined and leered at her suggestively. "I don't suppose you're going to help me with that little problem?"

"Perhaps you can find Ron and tell him his girlfriend is a tart. When he's crying on your shoulder, maybe you and he can find solace and comfort in one another?"

"Thanks a lot, Hermione." Harry peered at her in disgust. "Now, I don't think I'll ever be able to get an erection again with that unfortunate picture in my head."

"That's what you get for your cheek, mister. No go and leave Severus and I to our date, please."

"Alright, I'll go. Just please have the Potter Pot Roast and tell me how it is." Harry gave a sigh before walking away from a night of certain shagging.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione twirled her cocktail glass mixing its delicious contents. "So you see, Severus, a woman's orgasm, according to the professionals," she said apathetically as she wearily made the universal gesture of quotation marks with her hands, "is less important than the close emotional relationship with her partner. Now, whoever those professionals are, I'd bet all the Galleons in Gringotts that they're men who couldn't care less about a women's sexual satisfaction. I'm a professional and a woman and their conclusions are pure rubbish!" Her arms flailed out emphatically, and in one smooth motion she drained the drink before her.

"If you want to keep a woman happy, you must make it your business to ensure that she is sexually satisfied. Do you hear me? And that means the big 'O'!" Hermione emphasized her point with wide eyes and outstretched hands. "She must orgasm at least once during every sexual encounter. Before, during, or after the actual intercourse itself – it doesn't matter as long as she finds release." Hermione took another sip of her drink and continued with barely a pause. "Believe me, many men are self-centered and are only interested in satisfying themselves. I see it all the time in couples therapy, not to mention through my own firsthand experiences. That's a typical female complaint. The male's is that she doesn't orally stimulate him enough. Oddly, I often get the same complaint from women.

"My motto, when it comes to orgasms is, one is nice, two is better, three... I'll love you forever."

"One of my most important objectives in couples therapy, or in my individual sessions with men, is to teach the man on how to pleasure a woman." At her statement Severus' eyes shot up into his hairline. "Now, remove your mind from the gutter, Severus. I'm talking about talk therapy, not practical sessions! Earlier in my career, I found it bazaar that a man would know little to nothing about how to do this. But then, in sharing my findings with some female friends, I learned that many of them hadn't openly expressed their own sexual desires and preferences to their partners! No wonder some men are so inept! How could they know how to properly make love if they were never taught! So, now I see it as my mission to teach men how to satisfy their partner so that the women of this world can be sexually fulfilled. I may not be able to stop the men from being arseholes, as men are wont to be, but if they perform better in the sack, I believe the woman would be more tolerant of them. Severus, have you heard of erogenous zones?"

Severus' body reacted violently as it went into an uncontrollable coughing fit in reaction to her blunt question, "Yes, of course, but I have no desire to be tested... though I wouldn't rule out the possibility of experimentation," He replied, his eyes hot with desire and expressing his need for her.

In an atypical response, Hermione was silent. Instead, she reacted with a smile as wide as Hagrid's posterior. Severus was unguarded and relaxed. She loved this side of him and desired to see more of it.

"Severus," she forced herself to continue, despite the heat pooling in her loins. "There are three erogenous zones in the female body that, when stimulated, produce intense sensations that can lead to powerful feelings of sexual arousal. If a man knows what he's doing, he would start at zone one and progress to the third zone slowly and meticulously. If he follows this simple guideline, he will have his witch writhing and pleading for more.

"In addition to teaching my clients the erogenous zones, I also have ten myths about sex and forty-six intimacy tips. I initially created that list with seventy-two tips, but I found that it was too intimidating for the more fragile of egos. Care to hear them?"

"Forty-six?" Severus asked. "Ah, no. I'd rather not waste time discussing forty-six intimacy tips when I could easily think of a more gratifying way to spend my time."

"Have I put you off your spotted dick, Severus?" she asked, understanding that her unique brand of directness could be disconcerting to some. While she was comfortable discussing sex, not all people were.

"Your use of the English language has become quite embellished with interesting and strange choices of words. But, to answer your peculiar question, no, you have not put me off my spotted dick.

I'd love to rattle off some of my tips, but I realize forty-six is a bit much. I'll save them for another date. That is, if you think us worthy of getting together again?" Hermione asked and immediately chastised herself for sounding weak and needy.

With Severus' response, her concerns were waylaid as he bolstered her ego. "Hermione, there is no question that you and I will get together again. The only question is, when?"

A self-assured Severus really was arousing. Hermione was feeling as if her body was on fire, and she couldn't understand why, but she was certain that she could feel a flutter as if she was stimulated beyond measure. "I'm really getting hot, Severus." She fanned herself to relieve the heat.

"Getting?" he asked with a smirk planted firmly on his face. "You are hot, my dear."

Hermione blushed... blushed like as a schoolgirl blushes from her first kiss. Embarrassed but thrilled with the attention, Hermione finished her cocktail in one gulp. "What's this drink called again, Severus?" she asked, proud that she was able to ask the question without a noticeable slur in her speech.

"Ah, yes, this is by far my favorite moniker in this outlandish establishment. It's the Bloody Mad-Eye. I'm surprised that Moody would allow his favorite drink to become public fodder; so much for constant vigilance," Severus jested, wiggling his eyebrows.

Hermione began to giggle at Severus' joke. She didn't know if it was actually funny, or just amusing because it came from him. "Well, I can't believe that you're actually drinking the Dumbledore Lemon Drop!" Unable to remove the grin plastered on her face, she contemplated the playful man before her. A deliciously playful Snape was a lovely thing.

"There's no reason for me not to, regardless of the ridiculousness of its name. It's tart, with only a bit of sweetness, and plenty of vodka. One can't go wrong with plenty of vodka." Severus smirked as he drank the last of his sour treat and mumbled about visiting the loo. "Hermione, are you twinkling?" he asked.

"Me?" she responded innocently. "I thought only the late and great Albus Dumbledore was a twinkler."

"Honestly? Although mere canvass and paint, the man still twinkles. If you wouldn't mind, please order us another round of cocktails. I'll return shortly," Severus said as he ambled over to the men's room.

As soon as Severus turned toward the lavatory, she took in a deep breath and held it in her lungs for a moment and released it slowly, making that 'whoosh' sound through her teeth. She was nervous and had to calm herself for her task at hand. As soon as she ordered and received the cocktails, she reached for her purse, pulled it open and fumbled inside until she saw the tiny blue object of her desire, or at least the tiny blue pill she was certain would lead to desirable results for both her and Severus. Releasing it from its foiled prison, she used a spoon to mashed the little blue pill to smithereens. Careful not to miss one gram of the tiny specs of valuable powder, Hermione used her napkin and swept them all into Severus' drink and mixed vigorously. Finally, she returned the Maraschino cherry to its rightful place atop the drink. Her job was done and a satisfactory end to this date was guaranteed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He was enchanted.

Yes, Hermione was a bit drunk and disheveled after a few hours of eating, drinking and talking, but she was a confident and passionate woman in every aspect of her life, and that was intoxicating. She wasn't some mindless biddy, looking to please him in all things. She was her own woman: successful, secure, independent, and fiery.

Severus entered the lavatory and took matters in his own hands, in more ways than one. Earlier in the day he had accomplished two things to ensure a pleasant and successful wrap-up to his date with Hermione. He visited a dubious apothecary in Knockturn Alley and, despite not knowing what to purchase, he was smooth and charming as he obtained the name of the medication from the saleswoman behind the counter who was turning into a pile of goo from his enthralling attentions. With a little covert flick of the wrist and a mumbled Accio charm, the pill made it's way into his waiting hands.

He desired Hermione, and on many occasions IT had physically responded. Despite being a gambling man, Severus wouldn't wager a misplaced Knut wedged between his sofa cushions on IT's ability to perform. For too long he was at IT's mercy, and he had to take charge of his own fate. With conviction, and with a deep burning desire to get laid, Severus swallowed his little blue pill and patted his suit coat pocket to ensure that his other little surprise of the evening was still in place. Sexually satisfying himself was one thing, but Severus wanted a sexually satisfying evening for both he and Hermione. After learning of her high orgasmic threshold, Severus was fervent on ensuring her a good time while in his bed, high threshold be damned. After his visit to the chemist, Severus returned to his lab and created a Virility Potion designed to increase her sensitivity. It was not a Lust Potion as he was doing well in that area with his own sensuality. While the Virility Potion was not foolproof, he was sure he could use the rest of his talents to bring her to completion. Earlier in the evening, while Hermione was herself in the loo, Severus had slipped her a dose of his homemade brew that should soon make her hyper-aware of the pulsing between her legs. With the remainder of the potion in place, Severus examined his reflection in the mirror, smiled at his wonderful wickedness, and exited to return to his table and await an opportunity to slip Hermione another dose... or two.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Severus slipped into his seat, Hermione noticed his expression. "Why is there a smirk plastered on your face?"

"Are you certain it's not a simmer?" he teased.

"I am certainly certain," she responded in kind.

"No reason for my smirk, Hermione, other than my delight and burning desire to be near you again."

Hermione noticed he was getting good at wiggling his eyebrows. "You are one smooth talker! Who would've thought that Severus Snape had it in him?"

"Remember, Hermione, I am in control at all times. A Slytherin, and especially a Slytherin Death Eater-turned-spy, turned war hero, never sheds his skin. If I am allowing you to see this side of me, it is only because I choose you worthy of seeing it."

Hermione was entranced by his controlled passion. "Severus, I am truly flattered that you consider me friend enough to allow me to see all of you."

"Indeed," Severus said through his broad evil grin. "Seeing all of me shall come soon enough, my dear."

Hermione felt a flush begin at her tummy that quickly spread upward and created the blush that seemed to have become a permanent fixture on her face tonight. Her body was responding with the sensitivity of a virgin, and she was far from that. "Um, yes, well, that sounds rather delightful, Severus, though for right now I need to return to the loo."

"Excellent."

"What did you say?" Hermione asked, as she couldn't understand why 'excellent' would be a response to her visiting the lavatory.

"Oh, nothing to be concerned about."

Hermione looked at him suspiciously and then realized that he still had a significant amount of cocktail left to consume. In order to have his entire dose of the little blue pill, he'd have to finish the remainder of his cocktail. "Severus, in light of the wonderful evening we've had, why don't we share a toast?"

"I'd love to." He picked up his cocktail and brought it up to Hermione's, meeting it with a chime.

"Severus, to a magnificent evening!" Hermione toasted, holding all of her hopes in the dust particles floating unsuspectingly within its alcohol suspension.

"Yes," Severus replied seductively, "and to a satisfying one."

To be continued...

A/N:

**Colossal thanks go to Wartcap for beta'ing this story. She is my muse, my editor, my mentor and my friend.

**One more chapter to go before this story comes to an end! I hope you enjoy this installment and thank you for following.